Friction driven rotary cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

This disclosure depicts a number of embodiments of lightweight, highly maneuverable, friction-driven ground and floor cleaning apparatus for cleaning dirt and debris from patios, sidewalks, industrial floors and the like. Lightweight multi-function housing means are disclosed which serve, inter alia, as an exoskeleton to support for rotation and to protect a cylindrical brush and a pair of drive wheels.

1 1 Mar. 4, 1975 FRICTION DRIVEN ROTARY CLEANING 2.371.918 3/1945 15/41R 2,700,783 2/1955 Parker et a1. 15/79 APPARATUS [76] Inventor: John H.Coult, 901 N. President FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS St., Wheaton,111. 60187 Feb. 23, 1971 Appl. N0.: 117,937

366,863 l/l923 Germany..........................1. 15/41 R 601,813

3/1926 Germany............................. 15/49 C [22] Filed:

Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John H,Coult ABSTRACT This disclosure depicts a number of embodiments of highlymaneuverable, friction-driven ground and floor cleaning apparatus forcleaning dirt and debris from patios, sidewalks, industrial floors and Ih .W 6 W t 7 .h 5 .m l. 1 R5 1 1N M l 7 M 90 5m74 l 0 6 M CS 7 0 00 $1 81 3 M04414 d n/ a wn m mm; C MI ull m m M e "nu r unul mu. 6 "W" R mna es L C .m .m UILF mum (N 555 5 the like. Lightweight multi-functionhousing means are UNITED STATES PATENTS disclosed which serve, interalia, as an exoskeleton to in s U r. .D 2 .w r d i w, C a t C 6 t O r DrS 8 me h w me n.w m I f r mm a MD. a D- u ma 9 RRR 111/ 444 555 H Hoe He m k O b arn er u LFKS 5 9 a -3 9999 NH 6311 0508 4 03 3 54 4794 .3 1116 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEBHMI '41975 3.868.741

sum 3 or 5 PATENTEnm" 4:915

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The prior art expounds many friction-drivenrotary brush devices for cleaning streets, floors, and other surfaces.Many of these devices have dirt-receiving compartments are are large,cumbersome three and fourwheeled vehicles. All within my knowledge arerelatively heavy, unwieldy, and otherwise generally unsuited for rapidand easy light outdoor or industrial cleaning, and clearing. Examples ofsuch prior art are US. Pat. Nos. 588,250 Taft; 1,014,404 May; 2,689,367Parker; 481,269 Thompson; and 734,555 Hoadley.

'OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of this invention toprovide improved cleaning apparatus for cleaning patios, sidewalks, andthe like which has very high cleaning efficiency, and which is extremelylightweight, compact, highly maneuverable, and generally easy andcomenient to use.

It is another object to provide such cleaning apparatus having anextremely strong yet lightweight multiple function housing makingpossible the achievement of the above-stated objects of lightness,compactness, maneuverability, and general ease and convenience of use.

It is yet another object to provide such cleaning apparatus which isrelatively inexpensive to manufacture It is another object to providecleaning apparatus having a friction-driven cylindrical brush which maybe quickly and easily removed for cleaning or replacement.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obviousand will in part become apparent as the following description proceeds.The features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointedout with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part ofthis specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of theinvention, reference may be had to the following detailed descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a'cleaning device embodying thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view, partly broken away, ofone end of the FIG. 1 device;

FIG. 2A is a fragmentary side elevational view of a snap-in bearingarrangement in an end wall for the device;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the opposite end ofthe FIGS. 1-4 device; FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional viewof an end of a brush shown in FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view ofa second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of the right end of the FIG. 7embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the right end of theFIGS. 7-8 device;

2 FIG. 10 is an isolated view ofa mounting bracket constituting part ofthe FIGS. 7-9 embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an alternative wheel and brushmounting arrangement; and

FIG. 12 is an end elevational view of yet another embodiment of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. l-6 illustrate a cleaningdevice 10 representing one of the many devices contemplated forimplementing the principles of this invention. The device 10 isillustrated as including a support structure inthe form of a rigidhousing 12 which supports for rotation a cylindrical brush 14, all asdescribed in detail below.

The device 10 includes a'pair of wheels l6, 17 having stub axles l8, 19.The wheels 16, 17 are shown as each including a hub 20 having aperipheral depression for receivingan elastic tire 22 of high frictionmaterial.

Transmission means are provided for coupling at least one of the wheelsl6, l7 and the brush shaft 15 such that rotation of the wheels effectsan opposite rotation of the brush 14. In the FIGS. 16 embodiment thetransmission means is shown as takingthe form of a pair of spur gears24, 26. Spur gear 24 may be affixed, for example, on the stub axle 19 ofwheel 17, or alternatively as shown, the wheel 17, stub axle l9, andspur gear 24 may be injection molded as-a unitary structure from asuitable plastic material. Spur gear 26, which may also be of a moldedplastic construction, is

' mounted on the brush shaft 15. The spur gear 26 is here shown as beingmolded as an integral part of a hollow sleeve 28 which is interferencefit upon end 30 of the brush shaft 15.

The brush 14 is here shown as being of a construction known astwisted-in wire; howeventhe brush may be of the tufted-axle, or striptypes or of any other suitable construction. The other end 32 of thebrush shaft 15 is force fit into a sleeve-like cap 34 having a retainingflange 36, as shown inFIG. 6.

The construction and functions of the housing 12 constitute an importantaspect of this invention and will now be discussed in detail. Thehousing 12 has a number of significant functions. First, it provides arigid but lightweight exoskeleton for the device and includes supportmeans which rotatably support the ends 30, 32 of the brush shaft 15 andthe stub axles l8, 19 carrying the wheels l6, 17. More particularly, thehousing 12 includes a longitudinal bodyportion 37 having a lightweight,thin-walled construction, which may be of suitable molded plastic orsheet metal. The body portion 37 of the housing 12 hassubstantialcurvature in planes transverse to the brush shaft 15 to provide rigiditywithout a high weight factor. 0

The housing 12 has apair ofend walls 38, 40 extending forwardly from thelongitudinal body portion 37 of the housing which respectively supportan end of each of the wheel stub axles l8, 19, as described in moredetail below. Spaced inwardly from the end walls 38, 40 on the oppositeside of the wheels l6, 17 is a pair of support arms or members, hereshown in the form of integral interior walls 42, 44. The interior walls42, 44 support the other end of each of the stub axles l8, 19 (seebelow) and ends 30, 32 of the brush shaft 15. The interior walls 42, 44also act to partially shield, the

wheels 16, 17 and gears 24, 26 from dust and debris thrown by the brushl4.

In accordance with an aspect of this invention, the stub axles 18, 19are preferably supported for rotation by the housing 12 in like snap-inarrangements comprising cylindrical recesses 45, 46 at the ends ofgrooves 45a, 46a in end walls 38, 40 (see FIG. 2A), and circularapertures 47, 48 at the ends of slots 50, 52 in the interior walls 42,44.

Another important function of the housing 12 is to rigidly support theends of the brush shaft 15. In the illustrated embodiment the cap 34 onthe left end 32 of the brush 15 and the sleeve 28 at the right end 30 ofthe shaft 15 are snapped into circular apertures at the closed ends ofslots in interior walls 42, 44. The right end only is shown; thecircular aperture is shown at 55, the slot at 57. By the describedsnap-in support arrangement, the wheels 16, Hand the brush 14 may bequickly and easily attached during assembly of the device, or detachedfor subsequent replacement or cleanmg.

Yet another function of the housing 12 is to shield the user from flyingdebris, especially if the device should be pulled backwards so as tocause the brush 14 to rotate in the reverse direction, causing the brush14 to throw debris toward the user.

The housing 12, by virtue of its wrap-around construction provides arear support edge 62 which protects the brush, for example, in asituation where an elevated patio is being cleaned and one wheel runsoff an edge.

A handle 64 for the device is connected to the housing 12 such that thehandle and the housing 12 pivot together about the common wheel axis 66.By thisconstruction, elevational adjustment of the handle 64 effects anadjustment of the interference between the brush and the surface beingcleaned. A user may thus control the bite of the brush 14instantaneously and continuously while operating the brush to compensatefor variations in characteristics of the debris being swept and of thesurface being cleaned.

By locating the wheel axis 66 forwardly of the brush shaft 15,adjustment of the handle height effects an adjustment in a likedirection of the brush 14. For example, lowering the handle produces anatural lowering of the brush 14, making adjustment of the brush bite avery natural maneuver.

The engaged end of the handle 54 carries a hand grip 68 as shown in FIG.1, in order to place the axis of the users hand at a comfortable anglewith respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle 64.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. The FIGS.7-10 device is illustrated as having housing means in the form of astamped sheet metal housing 72 having the same general construction andfunctions as the housing 12 in the FIGS. 1-6 embodiment. The arcuatecross-sectional configuration of the longitudinal body portion 73 of thehousing provides great rigidity but a low weight factor. Further, thehousing 72 acts to partially shield the user from flying dust and debrisand offers considerable protection for the brush 82.

A pair of end walls 74, 76 and a pair of interior support arms ormembers, here shown as interior walls 78, 80 extend from the bodyportion 73 of the housing 72 to rotatably support a cylindrical brush 82and a pair of wheels 84, 86. The interior walls 78, 80 may be affixed tothe body portion 73 of the housing by welding, with rivets or otherfasteners or by any other suitable means; in the illustrated embodiment,the interior walls 78, constitute portions of similar brackets 86a, 87.The left and right side brackets 86a, 87 are similar; the right sidebracket 87 will be described.

Bracket 87 has an L-shaped back portion 88 which is attached rigidly tothe housing 72, as by rivets 89. Extending forwardly from the backportion 89 is the interior wall 80 and a second interior wall 90. Theinterior walls 80, 90 have apertures 91, 92 which receive and serve asbearings for stub axle 93 on the wheel 86. An aperture 94 in interiorwall 80 supports for rotation the right end of a shaft 95 for brush 82.

Stub axle 96 on wheel 84 is similarly captured and held for rotation inleft end bracket 86a.

A transmission for coupling wheel 86 to the shaft 95 of brush 82 isillustrated as comprising a pair of spur gears 97, 98.

A handle 99 isjoined to the housing 72 such that the handle 99 andhousing 72 pivot as a unit about an axis 100 through the wheels 84, 86.As in the FIGS. 1-6 embodiment, elevational adjustment of the handle 103effects an adjustment of the bite of the brush 82.

The invention is not limited to the particular details of constructionof the embodiments depicted, and it is contemplated that various andother modifications and applications will occur to those skilled in theart. For example, whereas the described embodiments have been discussedin terms of their performance as sweeping devices, it is contemplatedthat by appropriate selection of brush construction and characteristics,gear ratio of the transmission and other relevant parameters, devicesespecially suited for outdoor scrubbing and the like or multi-purposesweeping-scrubbing devices may be constructed according to the aboveteachings.

Other exoskeletal housing constructions are contemplated to implementthe support and other functions described herein. The principles of thisinvention might be employed for constructing a cleaning device with thebrush axis disposed ahead of the wheel axis. Such a construction wouldoperate differently from the disclosed embodiments since lowering thehandle would reduce, rather than increase, the bite of the brush. Thebracket 87 in the FIGS. 7-10 embodiment may take many other formsconsonant with the wheel and brush support functions required. Forexample, see FIG. 11 showing a single arm bracket 87a for supporting oneend of one stub axle and one end of a brush shaft. In this embodiment,the housing end wall 87b constitutes the cooperative necessary partofthe support means for supporting the other end of the wheel axle.

Rather than separating the wheel and brush axes, as

depicted in the above-discussed embodiments. these axes may be made tocoincide (see FIG. 12). In such an arrangement, the diameter of thebrush 102 is necessarily greater than the diameter of the wheels 104,e.g., by A 1 inch. A coaxial arrangement as described does not providefor adjustment of the bite of the brush, but the brush 102 would beoperable at any elevational setting of the handle 106. A transmission108 such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,145,738 may be employed tocouple the wheels 104 and the brush 102.

Therefore, because certain changes may be made in the above-describedapparatus without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention herein involved, it is intended that the subject matter of theabove depiction shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

ceives a wheel for rotation thereon'is intended to be considered a stubaxle.

Whereas the above depiction stresses the use of a rotary cleaning toolin the form of a cylindrical brush having bristles extending from acentral shaft, the use of other surface-treating tools capable of rotaryoperating in lieu thereof is within the compass of this invention.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for cleaning dirt and debris from patios, sidewalks, andthe like, comprising:

a cylindrical brush having bristles extending from a central shaft;

a pair of wheels, one wheel being disposed at each end of said brush,each of said wheels being mounted on a stub axle;

a one-piece injection-molded plastic housing means for rotatablysupporting both ends of said brush shaft and for supporting said axlemeans such that said wheels turn on a common wheel axis;

transmission means coupling at least one of said wheels and said brushshaft such that wheel rotation causes said brush to rotate; and

a handle joined to said housing means such that said handle and saidhousing means pivot together about said wheel axis; the improvementwherein said housing means in cludes a longitudinal body portionpartially surrounding said brush to protect said brush and shield theuser from flying debris, said body portion having substantial curvaturein planes transverse to said brush shaft to provide structural rigidityfor said housing means, said housing means having extending from saidbody portion a pair of integral end walls and substantially paralleltherewith and between said end walls a pair of interior walls integralwith said body portion, said end walls and said interior wallssupporting for rotation both ends of said brush shaft and said stubaxles, said interior walls acting to partially shield said wheels andsaid transmission means from dust and debris thrown by said brush, saidinterior walls including open-ended slot means for receiving in asnap-in fit at least one end ofeach of said stub axles and both ends ofsaid brush shaft. i 2. The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said endwalls support the other end of each of said stub axles. 3. The apparatusdefined by claim 1 wherein said body portion of said housing means has abottom edge defining a guard for protecting said brush shaft insituations where two-wheel support of the apparatus might be lost.

'6 4. The apparatus defined by claim 3 wherein said one of said wheels,said stub axles for said one wheel, and a spur gear comprising part ofsaid transmission means are molded as a single unit.

5. Sweeping apparatus for cleaning debris from patios, sidewalks, andthe like, comprising:

a twisted'in-wire cylindrical brush having bristles extendingsubstantially radially from a brush shaft; only two wheels, one disposedat each end of said brush and forwardly of said brush shaft, said wheelseach having a hub mounted on a stub axle and a tire of high frictionmaterial surrounding said hub; thin-walled, curved cross-section housingmeans partially surrounding and protecting said brush, said housingmeans having a portion thereof extending below the elevation of saidbrush shaft when said apparatus is in an operating attitude to define abottom edge acting as a guard for protecting said brush shaft insituations where two-wheel support of the apparatus is lost, saidhousing means including support means for rotatably supporting saidbrush shaft and means for rotatably supporting said stub axles, saidstub axles being supported in alignment on a common wheel axis orientedparallel with and disposed forwardly of said brush shaft; transmissionmeans coupling at least one of said wheels and said brush shaft suchthat wheel rotation effects an opposite rotation of said brush, saidtransmission means comprising a first spur gear rigidly carried by thestub axle' on said one wheel and -a second smaller spur gear affixed tothe end of said brush nearest said one wheel, said housing meanssupporting said first and second gears in mating engagement with saidsecond gear behind said first gear; and a handle connected to saidhousing means such that said handle and said housing means pivottogether about said wheel axis such that elevational adjustment of saidhandle effects an elevational adjustment in a like direction of saidbrush and thus an adjustment of the interference between said brush andthe surface being cleaned, whereby a user may control the bite of saidbrush instantaneously and continuously while operating the brush tocompensate for variations in the characteristics of the de bris beingswept and of the surface being cleaned. 6. The apparatus defined byclaim 5 wherein said housing means includes a thin-walled, lightweightlongitudinal body portion partially surrounding said brush to protectsaid brush and shield the user from flying debris, said body portionhaving substantial curvature in planes transverse to said brush shaft toprovide structural rigidity for said housing means, said housing meansincluding support means extending from body portion for effecting saidsupport of said stub axles and of said ends of said brush shaft.

=I= l =l

1. An apparatus for cleaning dirt and debris from patios, sidewalks, andthe like, comprising: a cylindrical brush having bristles extending froma central shaft; a pair of wheels, one wheel being disposed at each endof said brush, each of said wheels being mounted on a stub axle; aone-piece injection-molded plastic housing means for rotatablysupporting both ends of said brush shaft and for supporting said axlemeans such that said wheels turn on a common wheel axis; transmissionmeans coupling at least one of said wheels and said brush shaft suchthat wheel rotation causes said brush to rotate; and a handle joined tosaid housing means such that said handle and said housing means pivottogether about said wheel axis; the improvement wherein said housingmeans includes a longitudinal body portion partially surrounding saidbrush to protect said brush and shield the useR from flying debris, saidbody portion having substantial curvature in planes transverse to saidbrush shaft to provide structural rigidity for said housing means, saidhousing means having extending from said body portion a pair of integralend walls and substantially parallel therewith and between said endwalls a pair of interior walls integral with said body portion, said endwalls and said interior walls supporting for rotation both ends of saidbrush shaft and said stub axles, said interior walls acting to partiallyshield said wheels and said transmission means from dust and debristhrown by said brush, said interior walls including open-ended slotmeans for receiving in a snapin fit at least one end of each of saidstub axles and both ends of said brush shaft.
 2. The apparatus definedby claim 1 wherein said end walls support the other end of each of saidstub axles.
 3. The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said bodyportion of said housing means has a bottom edge defining a guard forprotecting said brush shaft in situations where two-wheel support of theapparatus might be lost.
 4. The apparatus defined by claim 3 whereinsaid one of said wheels, said stub axles for said one wheel, and a spurgear comprising part of said transmission means are molded as a singleunit.
 5. Sweeping apparatus for cleaning debris from patios, sidewalks,and the like, comprising: a twisted-in-wire cylindrical brush havingbristles extending substantially radially from a brush shaft; only twowheels, one disposed at each end of said brush and forwardly of saidbrush shaft, said wheels each having a hub mounted on a stub axle and atire of high friction material surrounding said hub; thin-walled, curvedcross-section housing means partially surrounding and protecting saidbrush, said housing means having a portion thereof extending below theelevation of said brush shaft when said apparatus is in an operatingattitude to define a bottom edge acting as a guard for protecting saidbrush shaft in situations where two-wheel support of the apparatus islost, said housing means including support means for rotatablysupporting said brush shaft and means for rotatably supporting said stubaxles, said stub axles being supported in alignment on a common wheelaxis oriented parallel with and disposed forwardly of said brush shaft;transmission means coupling at least one of said wheels and said brushshaft such that wheel rotation effects an opposite rotation of saidbrush, said transmission means comprising a first spur gear rigidlycarried by the stub axle on said one wheel and a second smaller spurgear affixed to the end of said brush nearest said one wheel, saidhousing means supporting said first and second gears in matingengagement with said second gear behind said first gear; and a handleconnected to said housing means such that said handle and said housingmeans pivot together about said wheel axis such that elevationaladjustment of said handle effects an elevational adjustment in a likedirection of said brush and thus an adjustment of the interferencebetween said brush and the surface being cleaned, whereby a user maycontrol the bite of said brush instantaneously and continuously whileoperating the brush to compensate for variations in the characteristicsof the debris being swept and of the surface being cleaned.
 6. Theapparatus defined by claim 5 wherein said housing means includes athin-walled, lightweight longitudinal body portion partially surroundingsaid brush to protect said brush and shield the user from flying debris,said body portion having substantial curvature in planes transverse tosaid brush shaft to provide structural rigidity for said housing means,said housing means including support means extending from body portionfor effecting said support of said stub axles and of said ends of saidbrush shaft.